Sunday, September 6, 2015

This document describes proactive governmental approaches to the homeless situations.

Framework:
Applies to persons who have proven previous residency within the local area.
Does not apply to itinerant workers.
The local government will take steps to eliminate barriers to the homeless.
The local government will not make laws that are barriers to the homeless.
There must be zoning that accommodates the homeless.

Build from here…

Tuesday, September 8 addendum.Disappearing act.
I suppose it would stand to reason that every city has the right to manage their homeless population as they see fit. They must give due consideration to the cultural, economic and environmental conditions that prevail in their locality.
Many cities, like San-Diego address the needs of their homeless citizens head-on.
Other cities, like Lapeer ignore the needs of their homeless citizens in hopes that the problem will just go away.

The San-Diego approach:

Overview

Homelessness is a critical issue impacting multiple sectors of our community. Eradicating homelessness is a high priority for the City of San Diego.

In collaboration with other public and private organizations, the City works to pursue an overall systematic approach to prevent and eliminate homelessness in the City of San Diego. The City focuses on helping homeless individuals and families make the transition to permanent housing and independent living through programs and supportive services.

One of the goals included in the City's FY 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan is to "Assist individuals and families stabilize in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness by providing client-appropriate housing and supportive service solutions."

End homelessness for all individuals and families throughout the region

Address the underlying causes of homelessness

Lessen the negative impact of homelessness on individuals, families and communities

San Diego is also participating in the federal 25 Cities Effort. Led by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), the aim of this Effort is to assist 25 communities in accelerating and aligning their existing efforts toward the creation of coordinated assessment and entry systems, laying the foundation for ending all homelessness, including homelessness among Veterans, in these communities.

With support from technical assistance providers, leaders and teams from each community optimize access to existing housing opportunities, in turn accelerating the number of permanent housing placements each month for Veterans experiencing homelessness and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. This supports community teams in setting aggressive 100-day "Rapid Results" goals - and in using these goals to stimulate innovation and increase collaboration.

The Lapeer Approach:

Magic is illusion - it doesn't work. The homeless do not disappear. They just become less visible.

Next up: Desperation,Wednesday, September 9 addendum.Desperation.Being homeless is perhaps the most desperate condition that a person can endure. People who are homeless are completely vulnerable to the elements – environmental, social, and criminal. We may have used the phrase, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Just imagine what a person who is in despair might do - shop lifting, theft, robbery, suicide. Think of the conditions – no bathroom, no sink, no place to keep personal items, no way to keep or prepare food. The whole and only purpose in daily life becomes, “What to eat and where to sleep.” The mental state becomes unstable. “Relief,” one cries! “Medication,” another appeals. Alcohol and drugs are what answers.Damage control is no where to be found. The homeless victim disconnects. Societal order and law become irrelevant. In desperation they strike.Inevitably a city or society will deal with the homeless - “When,” is the question.Next up: Not Now.

Thursday addendum.Not now.“Not now,” did you say.Did I hear that correctly - “Tabled indefinitely?”“A one year moratorium on any discussion,” is what was reported.Well they have been true to their word – over a year now and not one action.The big question is, “When will those responsible for making laws, be held accountable for the effects of those laws?”Or in this case, “When will those responsible for failing to take action, be held accountable for the effects of that failure?”How many more homeless must suffer the consequences of lawmakers.Priorities, priorities! When will they be a home-full citizen?”Be the solution.Next up.Walking the talk. Friday addendum.Walking the talk. This morning the Lord tested my talk. I hope and pray that I can measure up.A young man called in great need. He had done wrong. He had gotten himself into a dangerous situation, got locked out of his place, and had nothing nor anyplace to go.An appeal to my peers provided direction. Prayer provided solutions. Action provided results.The situation is being resolved.Next up.Follow through.